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Routers, Love 'em or Loath 'em


Richard R
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Routers - love 'em or loath 'em?  

19 members have voted

  1. 1. Do you like routers?

    • Yes! Best tool on the planet, couldn't live without mine.
      12
    • No! The devil's own rotating hellspawn powertool.
      2
    • Of course you twit, how else would I connect to the internet and hence to BassChat.
      5


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Although a simple Yes/No option without the hyperbole would have been more representative of my feelings I have voted Yes (ignoring the "can't live without it" part).

I don't use mine often but when I do, it's a powerful ally.  Like real-life allies, you must treat them right.  I consider them specialist tools that require as much respect as lathes or milling machines.

There are other ways of doing a job such as rounding over or cutting relief patterns or cut-outs with templates.  They take longer and they still involve sharp tools.  You takes your choice...

It's probably a good thing that it scares some folk otherwise we'd see more maimings.

Edited by SpondonBassed
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For me, I love them, I really do even if my build diaries tell you otherwise...

What I dislike about them is how quickly things can go from smooth sailing to rough seas. I understand the good jig argument and agree this is essential, but in my experience even with a good jig, it'll depend on the wood you're cutting, If you're routing wenge for instance and the router catches some crossed grain it can cause catastrophic damage to your work, it'll quickly rip a good chunk out of your timber regardless of your cutting depth, alder and ash however, rarely a problem will occur.

Brilliant tools, superb finishing capabilities but unpredictably destructive at times. Like @SpondonBassed says, a healthy amount of caution and respect for the tool is essential! 

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They are, in my view the devil's own rotating hellspawn powertool.

But there are times when only the devil's own rotating hellspawn powertool will do. :)

So yes, I do hate them but yes, I do use them - quite often.  But only when:

- there is no reasonable alternative

- I have thought through "what could go wrong?"  and "if it did go wrong, would I - or part of my precious project - be in the wrong place?"

- I have reminded myself of all of the 'do's and don't's' associated with this exceptionally dangerous tool 

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On 04/10/2020 at 05:52, SpondonBassed said:

It's probably a good thing that it scares some folk otherwise we'd see more maimings.

Same for all tools 🙂

 

Back to routers.  Earlier this year I was on a contract.  Edinburgh Uni student accommodation door refurb.

4000 + doors, plenty needed the intumescent strips replaced.  Cordless router to the rescue 😎

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